A Classic Updated

It isn’t the first time Cheshire Life has visited this beautiful Bowdon abode but a roof-to-ground renovation by its new owners warrants a second viewing

- Karen Wilson & Kate Houghton

In January 2016, Cheshire Life featured a grand detached Victorian home in Bowdon. Built in 1850 for one of Manchester’s barons of industry, it later became the Cheshire headquarters of the Red Cross before being brought back to family life by Dr Brian Thomas and his wife Christine in 1973. Almost four years ago they told us that it was their dearest wish that their home, which was for sale as the couple wished to downsize, would remain as a single-family dwelling.

Such was their concern for the future of their house that they met its new owners Wendy and Dan Holland – who adored the property on first visit but didn’t quite have the funds to meet the asking price – on a number of occasions before agreeing a sale.

‘It was clear to us that Brian and Christine really wanted to find the right people to buy their home,’ says Wendy, herself a landlord and property developer. ‘We met with them many times and even joined them for lunch. We loved the house, but just felt that it was a little too far beyond our budget.’

When their offer on another house fell through, after some negotiation they eventually secured the home they’d first fallen in love with.

You can only assume that, upon seeing the love that has been lavished on the property since, the former owners will be thrilled with its new lease of family life.

‘We bought the house in May 2016 and, although it was perfectly liveable, decided to rent nearby and get the structural work that needed doing complete. We set a deadline of six months and overran by one – but we were in for Christmas!’